Five-year background check...
Ah. Fun stuff.
As far as I know, Germany is the only country in the EU that requires a background check/Zuverlässigkeitsüberprüfung.
If you google Polizei* uverlässigkeitsüberprüfung Pilot Bayern you will eventually find the right place you can mail the application to. I did it at a local office in Wiesbaden last time I needed one.
Have you recently moved to Germany? You will be checked going back at least five years. If you have not been in Germany for the last five years, you need to request a criminal records check from the local Sheriff (assuming you are American) from wherever you left. Similar from local law enforcement from wherever you were. Supply that with your form. Saves them coming back to ask for it.
I had to submit a copy of the züp with my last renewal.
I don't know if you have to have it to solo - assume so. In any case, I'd expect to have to supply a copy when you request the initial license.
Are you converting a license/certificate from somewhere else? A new pilot? Any German flight instructor should be able to help you with this.
Remember - your German license is only valid with a valid Zuverlässigkeitsüberprüfung. The SEP rating is good for two years at a time. The background check is good for five years, with an expiration date based on when it was issued. Even if perfectly in synchronization the züp ends a year before your third SEP period (2x3-5=1).
If you are a beginner, your flight instructor can explain everything to you about tests/etc. If you are getting an EASA certificate based on one from elsewhere it's a bit different. I had to take "just" two tests - Air Law and Human Performance Factors. I had the choice of a "flight review" that would let me fly D-registered airplanes for a short period of time or a PPL check ride for a real license. I did the later.
Good luck!
Last edited by LTCTerry; 9th May 2019 at 16:27.
Reason: Delete pasting artifacts.